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“Laser hair removal” is actually something of a misnomer. It’s more accurate to call it “laser hair reduction,” as the procedure slows and reduces hair growth by damaging follicles. That’s what makes laser hair reduction (LHR) an appealing alternative to traditional hair-removal methods like shaving, waxing, and plucking. Those stock depilatory efforts don’t last long and generally don’t reduce the amount of hair you’re capable of growing. Potential LHR clients should, however, be wary of different lasers’ effectiveness for certain skin and hair types.Does laser hair reduction work?Laser hair reduction will slow hair growth, making it less noticeable. However, periodic maintenance treatments may be needed, and results can vary from person to person.How does laser hair reduction work?Noninvasive laser light penetrates hair follicles. The heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, inhibiting hair growth.How many sessions are typically needed to see results?Laser hair reduction affects only actively growing hair follicles, which means that it may take several treatments to see significant hair reduction. Generally 4–6 treatments are needed, depending on the area.How often should I be treated?Treatments are generally spaced 4–8 weeks apart.Is there any downtime?There may be redness and swelling for the first few hours after the treatment. The treated area might experience a stinging sensation for a day or two afterward.What are some different laser hair reduction machines?There are a lot of machines on the market that differ according to the type of lasers used. The Nd:YAG, alexandrite, and diode lasers are among some of the most prevalent and effective kinds used in LHR treatments today.What’s the best laser hair reduction option for you?There are a lot of factors that go into this decision—so many that we wrote a whole article about it. In short, however, it’s probably most important to match your skin and hair tone to the laser that can treat it most effectively. For instance, the alexandrite laser, one of the most common, treats clients with light to olive skin tones. The Nd:YAG laser can be used on all skin types. The ruby laser works best for fine and light hair, but it can’t be used on darker skin. Please be sure to consult with the licensed practitioner on the type of laser best suited for your hair and skin type.Click here to see laser hair reduction featured on The Dr. Oz Show.Learn more about laser hair reduction:Which Hair-Reduction Laser Is Right for You?What Laser Hair Reduction Really Feels Like

When I was gearing myself up to get laser hair removal, none of my friends were being very helpful. My boyfriend reminded me that he tried to start a round of treatments on his neck, had one session, and never went back because it hurt so much. My coworker said that she did actually complete treatment on her bikini line, but it hurt more than anything ever and she wouldn’t wish that pain upon her worst enemy.
In the name of beauty blogging, though, I decided to ignore them and get laser hair removal on my underarms. On camera. Here's what I felt during my appointment at BEaUtify at AMS (830 N. Ashland Ave.)—including the pinprick-like sensation of the actual treatment.
Feeling #1: Jittery
As I sat in the waiting room, I kept myself from getting too nervous by asking everyone on staff how the treatment would feel. I was hoping to hear “like puppy snuggles,” but here’s what they really had to say:
Jeannie Caltagirone, aesthetician and my laser technician for the day: “If you had one of those old-timey perfumes with the rollerball, and you started rolling it around a lot. At first it feels cool, and then it gets warmer and warmer and then all you feel is the heat and the movement.”
Edith Bayran, owner: “I always say it feels like the hairs are pulling. A little bit of a pulling sensation, and then heat building up.”
Audrey, receptionist: “It feels like putting a hot towel against your skin.”
Dr. Neema Bayran, medical director: “[The laser] heats up the hair follicle and the surrounding tissue. The temperature it creates is about 45 degrees Celsius [113 degrees Fahrenheit], so imagine holding something that warm up against your skin.”
Overall, nothing too awful sounding. After polling them all, I felt a little calmer.
Feeling #2: Chilly
To prepare me for my treatment, Jeannie shaved my underarms, then pulled a bottle of ultrasound gel out of a mini fridge. The gel, she explained, would help the laser’s handpiece roll over my skin more easily. Which was true, but there was still the issue of the gel being ice cold.
Now, factor in that AMS’s laser, the Alma Soprano ICE, has a cooling mechanism built into the handpiece so the laser doesn’t overheat the skin. Between that, the gel, and the wrap that left my arms and shoulders exposed, I stopped even thinking about potential pain. I was thinking about cardigans. Sweet, sweet cardigans.
Feeling #3: Faint Pinpricks
To feel the laser at all, I had to focus, and even when I did, all I could sense were some faint pinpricks. They were so faint that if the treatment had lasted a bit longer, I could have probably fallen asleep—especially because the laser’s beeps sounded like crickets, and I had to wear completely opaque goggles to protect my eyes from the laser.
Feeling #4: Amazement
Jeannie spent 140 seconds on each underarm, and by the end, I was amazed at how much it hadn’t hurt. (In case you’re wondering, I have a pretty low pain tolerance.) I’m sure the experience varies by person and body part, but personally, I felt the most sensitivity after the treatment. I was worried that the laser had lasered all my deodorant off, and when I reapplied, my skin felt a bit raw.
Bottom line though, it really wasn’t that bad. (I’d say Jeannie’s description proved to be the most on point.) I’d be down to get the remaining five sessions Jeannie recommended, and curious to try out other areas of the body. But for now, I’m just going to brag to my coworker and my boyfriend about how tough I am!
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Candela, YAG, LightSheer, Soprano—if you’ve ever stumbled upon a laser-hair removal website, chances are you’ve come across one or several of these brand names. Companies like to name-drop the type of technology they use, but aren’t always so quick to explain what makes one hair-removal laser different from another. This is part of the reason why it can be hard to understand which type of laser would be best suited for your hair and skin type, even after you’ve decoded the science behind laser hair removal.Below, we’ve provided a quick breakdown of four common laser systems used for hair removal, and identified common brand names for each. The list is by no means exhaustive, but it may help you make a more informed decision.Ruby LaserCommon brand names: Palomar E2000, RubyStarThe oldest type of hair-removal laser, it emits a short wavelength that has a higher melanin absorption rate than most other lasers on the market. This makes it effective on even very fine hair, but more likely to affect skin’s pigment. As such, it is generally recommended for those with very light skin, which is less susceptible to discoloration.Alexandrite LaserCommon brand names: Candela GentleLase, Cynosure Apogee, EpiTouch PlusThis laser has a slightly longer wavelength than the Ruby, which enables it to achieve high melanin absorption on a wider range of skin tones, including olive skin. However, there is still a significant risk for discoloration and burns on all but very light skin.Perhaps the Alexandrite’s most important benefit is an increased spot size and repetition rate, which means it can treat a larger area of skin, faster. This makes it one of the quickest hair-removal lasers available.Diode LaserCommon brand names: LightSheer, SLP 1000, LaserLite, SopranoXLOne of the newest and most commonly used laser systems today, the Diode was designed for fair to medium skin types. It uses different wavelengths of light—like the Ruby and Alexandrite lasers, it emits short wavelengths effective at absorbing melanin, but unlike those, it incorporates longer wavelengths capable of penetrating deeper into hair follicles. The longer wavelengths also decrease the risk of skin damage.The main drawback to the Diode laser is its newness, as there is not yet an appropriate amount of data to assess its long-term results.Nd:YAG LaserCommon brand names: Cutera CoolGlide, Cynosure Elite, Candela GentleYAGThe Nd:YAG Laser is the preferred system for darker skin. It uses longer wavelengths than the previous three, meaning it has the most potential to destroy hair at the papilla (the very bottom of the shaft). However, it also has weaker melanin absorption than the other lasers (which is what makes it safe for darker skin), meaning it requires more treatments for similar results. Treatments with YAG lasers can also be more painful and less effective on fine hair.Watch the laser-hair removal process: